Sustainability in the Built Environment
There has been an essential requirement for quality management in the construction of bridges and buildings. All medium-size or large-size construction companies are now highly concerned with developing and enhancing their quality management systems in the direction of the integrated management system.
QACA offers certification, testing, inspection, and training services to ensure the safety and credibility of your brand. We help you maintain your reputation and optimize your asset performance. We ensure that different standards and regulatory requirements are met to maximize your return on investment so that you can meet quality and environmental management regulations. Our trained professional personnel can help you optimize organizational productivity and help prevent workplace accidents and illness.
How Can QACA Help You?
- We provide planning and design services to ensure the viability of your project from the design and procurement stages.
- Help with procurement and construction by providing site inspections, building materials testing, project management, and construction supervision to ensure your asset's long-term safety and performance.
- Green building certifications are available to help you market your buildings and infrastructure by leading sustainability standards.
- Our inspections and energy performance assessments can assist you in maintaining, controlling, and managing your assets.
Services include:
- Architectural design
- Structural design
- Electrical design
- Plumbing and drainage design
- Fire alarm and firefighting
- Geotechnical investigation
- Topographic survey
- Interior design
- Bill of quantities
- Consultant's supervision• Condition Surveys, Inventorization, Topographical and Hydrological Surveys
- Strategic Options Studies
- Hydraulic and Drainage Studies
- Geotechnical Investigations and Material Survey & Analysis
- Social & Environmental Studies
- Pre-feasibility, Feasibility, and Preliminary Engineering Studies
- Cost-estimates & Tender Documentation
- Techno-Economic Studies
- Design and Viability of Toll Collection System
- Pre-bid services and Post Bid Design services for Concessionaires
Structural Audits - Safeguarding Buildings for Longevity and Safety
Structural Audits
A structural audit is the overall health and performance check-up of the building like a doctor checking the patient. Structural audit helps to understand the status of the old building. The Audit helps to highlight & investigate all the risk areas, critical areas, and whether the building. Needs immediate attention. It covers the structural analysis of the existing frame and highlights the weak structural areas for static, wind & earthquake loads. If the bldg. has changed the user, from residential to commercial or industrial, this should bring out the impact of such a change.
Purpose of a Structural Audit?
A structural audit ensures that the building is safe to be used. If the structural audit is conducted regularly any faults or risks in the building can be identified at an earlier stage and can be cured without causing any major accidents or risks.
It is done to save human life and buildings by understanding the condition of the building. The building lifecycle is enhanced by suggesting preventive and corrective measures after identifying the critical areas to be repaired.
Need for Structural Audit
- To increase the life of the property
- To know the health of the building and its expected life.
- To check the actual reliability of the structure.
- To recommend rehabilitation techniques
- To highlight the critical areas and repair them immediately.
Importance of Midway Structural Project Audits
While structural audits are typically associated with existing buildings, the concept of midway structural project audits also holds immense value. These audits provide a timely assessment of project progress, uncovering issues and challenges during the project lifecycle. Conducted midway through a project, an audit offers an interim view of what has gone well and what needs improvement. This proactive approach allows project managers, sponsors, and teams to address concerns in real time, enhancing the likelihood of successful project completion.
The findings from midway audits can be instrumental in developing success criteria for future projects. By conducting a forensic review at the close of a project, organizations can identify elements that were successfully managed and those that presented challenges. This retrospective analysis provides valuable insights to avoid repeating the same mistakes in future projects, contributing to the continuous improvement of project management practices.
The practice of structural audits is instrumental in ensuring the safety and longevity of buildings. By addressing potential risks, recommending timely repairs, and promoting compliance with statutory requirements, structural audits contribute to the overall well-being of structures and the safety of occupants. Regular and thorough assessments are key to preserving the structural integrity of buildings in the face of evolving environmental and structural challenges.
Structural audits are not merely a regulatory requirement but a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property. The systematic approach, encompassing visual inspections, testing processes, and data interpretation, ensures a comprehensive understanding of a building’s structural health. The collaboration between structural engineers, building owners, and municipal authorities is essential in implementing the recommendations derived from structural audits, fostering a culture of safety and resilience in the built environment.
How to do a structural audit of a building?
The following steps or stages are involved in the process of Structural Audit
1. Collection of general data on the Buildings
2. Visual Inspection of the Structure
3. Non-Destructive Testing
4. Chemical Tests
5. Core Testing
6. Destructive / Overloading Test.
General Inspection Processes:
- Visual Inspection: A preliminary examination that identifies visible signs of distress, such as cracks, deformations, or corrosion.
- Non-Destructive and Destructive Testing: In-depth assessments utilizing methods like Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Destructive Testing (DT) to uncover hidden structural issues.
- Concrete Strength Tests: Evaluation of concrete strength to gauge the building’s overall stability and load-bearing capacity.
- Chemical Attacks and Corrosion Assessment: Identification of vulnerabilities to chemical attacks and corrosion, which can compromise the structural integrity of the building.
- Homogeneity and Integrity Assessment: Evaluation of material homogeneity and structural integrity to ensure that the building’s components are sound and cohesive.
- Core Testing and Overload Testing: Comprehensive assessments involving core testing and overload testing to gain a deeper understanding of the building’s structural capacity and potential weaknesses.
These inspection processes contribute to a holistic understanding of the building’s condition, enabling the structural auditor to make informed recommendations for repairs and retrofitting
Services & Areas of Expertise
- State Town and Country Planning Inspections
- Structural design and safety analysis using Software
- Geotechnical survey and Drone Survey, Site Survey & Ongoing Site Inspections
- Foundation, Electrical Acceptance Audit
- Customized Audits & Building Inspections
- Quality, Environment, Energy, Health & Safety Audits/ Inspections
- Over the river Bridges and foot over bridges of railways
- Old and Heritage Building structural safety
- Non-destructive/Destructive testing, Schmidt Hammer Tests
- Training on building design safety
We conduct Core testing, Cube testing, Soil testing, Material testing, Inspection of concrete casting, Inspection of Telecom towers, Inspection of Power transmission towers, Civil & water supply structures for water storage, sewage structures, etc.
For any queries or further information related to our services, please feel free to contact us at info@qacamail.com or call us at +919599619392. We are here to assist you!
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